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By Emma Njoku
The African Union (AU) has appointed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard M. Doro, to represent West Africa on the Governing Board of the African Humanitarian Agency (AfHA), the AU’s newly established continental institution for humanitarian coordination and response.
This was contained in a statement by the Minister’s Senior Technical Adviser on Information Systems and Data Analysis, Dr. Abimbola Fasanu.
The nomination, endorsed by the West African regional caucus, under the coordination of Senegal in its capacity as Regional Dean, and formally communicated by the African Union Commission, is for a three-year non-renewable term.
Dr. Doro will serve on the Governing Board alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, Léon Kacou Adom, who was also nominated to represent the region.
The AfHA was established by the AU to strengthen Africa’s collective capacity to prevent, prepare for and respond to humanitarian crises through coordinated, African-led solutions. The governing board will provide strategic oversight for the agency’s institutional development, regional coordination, policy direction and humanitarian response across the continent, including the establishment of regional humanitarian centres. The appointment reflects growing continental recognition of Nigeria’s leadership in humanitarian affairs, social protection and poverty reduction. It also provides an important platform for Nigeria to contribute its experience in advancing coordinated humanitarian systems and sustainable development solutions across Africa.
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Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has continued to implement far-reaching reforms aimed at strengthening humanitarian coordination, expanding social protection, supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs), returning migrants and vulnerable communities through the One Humanitarian–One Poverty Response System (OHOPRS).
The reform seeks to eliminate fragmented interventions by integrating humanitarian assistance, social protection and poverty reduction into a single coordinated national framework that improves efficiency, accountability and sustainable outcomes.
Reacting to the appointment, Dr. Doro described it as both a national honour and a continental responsibility.
“This appointment is a recognition of Nigeria’s commitment to advancing innovative and coordinated humanitarian solutions. It provides an opportunity for us to contribute to shaping Africa’s humanitarian future through stronger partnerships, knowledge sharing and systems that deliver lasting impact for vulnerable populations across our continent. We remain committed to promoting African-led solutions that strengthen resilience, restore dignity and create sustainable pathways out of poverty, while sharing Nigeria’s experience in humanitarian reform.”
The minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to working closely with the AU, its member states, development partners and humanitarian institutions to strengthen regional cooperation, improve humanitarian coordination and support durable solutions for displaced and vulnerable populations across Africa.
Dr. Doro is expected to participate in the inaugural briefing of the governing board later this month as the agency begins implementing its continental mandate.
